• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.2329-2334
• /
• 2012

Introduction: Many studies have reported that microRNA-21 (miR-21) mihght predict the survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) but the opposite opinion has also been expressed. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence for a prognostic role of miR-21. Materials and Methods: All the eligible studies was searched by Medline and EMBASE and patients' clinical characteristics and survival outcome were extracted. Then a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of the miR-21 expression in different subgroups. Results: A total of 8 eligible articles were yielded covering survival outcomes or clinical characteristics. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) was 2.19 [0.76, 6.30], while the combined HR (95% CI) of Asian group for OS had a significant result, 5.49 [2.46, 12.27]. The combined HR (95% CI) for recurrence free survival or disease free survival (RFS/DFS) was 2.31 [1.52, 3.49]. Odds ratios (ORs) showed that the miR-21 expression was associated with lymph node status and histological type. Conclusion: miR-21 expression could predict the prognostic outcome of NSCLC in Asians, despite some deficiencies in the study data.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.945-951
• /
• 2012

Objective: FAS/FASL gene promoter polymorphisms have been repeatedly associated with gastric cancer risk, but findings are inconclusive across studies. To address a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: Data were collected from the Pubmed, Medline and EMBASE databases, with the last report up to 1 December, 2011. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the association by (1) the additive, (2) the codominant, (3) the dominant, and (4) the recessive models. Results: A total of seven studies, including six studies on FAS -1377G>A polymorphism, five studies on FAS -670A>G polymorphism, and six studies on FASL -844T>C polymorphism, were identified in the current meta-analysis. Overall, an association of FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.313, 95% CI = 1.045-1.650, Ph = 0.347, $I^2$ = 10.8) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.352, 95% CI = 1.043-1.752, Ph = 0.461, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms with gastric cancer was found in the codominant model. However, we did not detect any association between gastric cancer and the FAS -670A>G polymorphism. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, similar elevated risks were also observed in Asian population for FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.309, 95% CI = 1.041-1.646, Ph = 0.240, $I^2$ = 27.3) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.420, 95% CI = 1.081-1.865, Ph = 0.524, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that FAS -1377G>A and FASL -844T>C polymorphisms might be associated with gastric cancer risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5551-5556
• /
• 2014

Background: The prognostic value of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu) for survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is still ambiguous. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to evaluate its prognostic significance. Materials and Methods: We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for published literature investigating associations between HER-2/neu status and overall survival of patients with CRC. A meta-analysis was performed using a DerSimonian-Laird model and publication bias was investigated by Begg's and Egger's tests. Subgroup analysis was also conducted according to the study design type, study quality score, cut-off value for HER-2/neu overexpression, publication region, patient number and publication year. Results: A total of 17 eligible studies involving 2,347 patients were identified for this meta-analysis. The combined hazard ratio (HR) was 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96-1.79), suggesting that HER-2/neu overexpression was not significantly associated with overall survival of patients with CRC. However, subgroup analysis revealed that HER-2/neu overexpression had an unfavorable impact on survival when the analysis was restricted to subgroups of study quality score ${\leq}5 $(HR=1.56, 95%CI: 1.17-2.10), Asian patients (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.22-2.49), patient number ${\leq}106$ (HR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.01-2.44), publication year before 2003 (HR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.02-2.49), and prospectively designed study (HR=3.62, 95%CI: 1.42-9.24). The effect disappeared in subgroups of study quality scores > 5 (HR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.33-1.44), non Asian patients (HR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.77-1.70), patients' number > 106 (HR=1.07, 95%CI: 0.67-1.72), publication year after 2003 (HR=1.13, 95%CI: 0.76-1.69), and retrospectively designed study (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 0.89-1.67). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that HER-2/neu overexpression might not be a significantly prognostic indicator for patients with CRC. Further studies are required to confirm these results.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to review the literature on Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang. The classic literature review was carried out using "http://www.theqi.com". The journal search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, National Digital Science Links(NDSL), OASIS, Korean studies Information Service system(KISS), RISS, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Japan Science and Technology information Aggreator, Electronic(J-STAGE) from search engine's opening day to November 2013. Searching key words were the various combination of "Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang", "Danggwisayeok", "Danggwi", "ohsuyu", "saenggang". The inclusion criteria was all kinds of journals except for review, essay, and experiment study. 40 classic literatures and 37 journals(1 chinese randomized controlled trial, 25 chinese case studies, 1 Korean case study, and 10 japanese case studies) were selected finally. The literatures and journals reported that Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang - tang was used to treat diverse types of diseases with coldness of hands and feet.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.139-150
• /
• 2018

Averagely 80% to 90% of breastfeeding women experience the nipple pain and fissures. The important factor for successful breastfeeding is to treat this problem. This study has done as a review with the aim of analysis of the clinical trials in the field of the prevention and treatment of the nipple fissures and pain due to the importance of breastfeeding. For this purpose, the key words of sore, nipples, fissure, trauma, wound, prevention, treatment, therapeutics, therapy, clinical trial, breastfeeding and their Persian synonyms and all of their possible combinations were searched in the national databases: SID and Iran Medex and Magiran, and in the international databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Science direct by May 2017. The Jadad criterion was used to assess the quality of the articles and the articles with a score of 3 or more were included in this study. Finally, 48 clinical trials were reviewed that 17 of them (sample size 1801) scored 3 or more based on the Jadad criterion. Seven articles were also in the non- drug treatment group (sample size 491) and 2 articles in the drug treatment group (sample size 337) and 8 articles in the herbal treatment group (sample size 973).The results show that menthol and warm water compress as well as teaching the correct breastfeeding methods are effective treatments to prevent and treat the nipple pain and fissures. Moreover, applying the herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of the issues raised from breastfeeding may have beneficial such as Aloe vera, Portulaca olearacea. However, more studies with a great methodology are necessary to obtain more accurate evidence.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.259-277
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyze how the changes of evaluation standards have affected Korean medical researchers' academic performance by comparing the publication status of medical articles both domestically and abroad. A total of 314,559 domestic articles in KMbase and 53,423 articles stored in MEDLINE published abroad by Korean researchers were analyzed. All of the data were compared per year according to the research field and indexed journals by numbers and proportions of articles published domestically and abroad. The analysis showed that the number of total articles and the proportion of articles published abroad increased continuously. In the early 2000s, articles published in Korea decreased, otherwise articles published abroad increased sharply. SCI articles showed a steady increase before 2000, and continued to increase over the next few years. KCI articles also showed a rapid increase in the early 2000s while other articles were decreasing. Publication trends shown in this study were similar despite quantitative and timely differences by research area. Performance evaluations focusing on SCI articles affected on quantitative decrease in the number of total articles published domestically. Quantitative growth itself is not an absolute indicator for academic achievement. Therefore, to complement any evaluation of academic achievement, qualitative analysis needs to be done as well.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2008

Objective : The objective of this review was to provide reliable comparative results regarding the effectiveness of any interventions either open or closed that can be used in the management of fractured mandibular condyle Patients and Methods : Research of studies from MEDLINE and Cochrane since 1990 was done. Controlled vocabulary terms were used. MeSH Terms were "Mandibular condyle" AND "Fractures, bone". Only comparative study were considered in this review using the "limit" function. According to the criteria, two review authors independently assessed the abstracts of studies resulting from the searches. The studies were divided according to some criteria, and following were measured: Ramus height, condyle sagittal displacement, condyle Towns's image displacement, Maximum open length, Protrusion & Lateral excursion, TMJ pain, Malocclusion, and TMJ disorder. Results : Many studies were analyzed to review the post-operative result of the two methods of treatment. Ramus height decreased more in when treated by closed reduction as opposed to open reduction. Sagittal condyle displacement was shown to be greater in closed reduction. Condyle Town's image condyle displacement had greater values in closed reduction. Maximum open length showed lower values in closed reduction. In protrusive and lateral movement, closed reduction was less than ORIF. Closed reduction showed greater occurrence of malocclusion than ORIF. However, post-operative pain and discomfort was greater in ORIF. Conclusion : In almost all categories, ORIF showed better results than CRIF. However, the use of the open reduction method should be considered due to the potential surgical morbidity and increased hospitalization time and cost. To these days, Endoscopic surgical techniques for ORIF (EORIF) are now in their infancy with the specific aims of eliminating concern for damage to the facial nerve and of reducing or eliminating facial scars. Before performing any types of treatment, patients must be understood of both of the treatment methods, and the best treatment method should be taken on permission.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to establish the basis of the assessment tools that can be used for the diagnosis and assessment of skin diseases by reviewing the present status of the assessment tools used in domestic and overseas traditional medicine papers for the past five years. Methods : This study is based on analysis of papers on clinical trials about atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, urticaria published from 1st July 2013 to 30th June 2018. The papers were searched from Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System(OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal(KTKP), Pubmed, MEDLINE. Results : 40 articles on atopic dermatitis, 34 articles on psoriasis, 26 articles on acne and 10 articles on urticaria were selected. Among them, 38 articles(90%), 20 articles(85%), 22 articles(85%) and 5 articles(50%) used assessment tools in order. Conclusions : SCoring Atopic Dermatitis(SCORAD), objective SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis index(OSI), Eczema Area and Severity Index(EASI) were used in studies on atopic dermatitis. In the case of psoriasis, The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI) was used in most papers. In the study on acne, most of Korean papers used Korean Acne Grading System(KAGS), but in the overseas papers, various assessment tools were used. In the case of urticaria, the rate of use of the assessment tool was the lowest, but the assessment tool used was unified by Urticaria Activity Score(UAS). Since skin diseases can cause stress and a decrease in quality of life, the quality of life should be taken into account when evaluating treatment effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study is aimed to develop a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) on acupuncture treatment for the patients with post-stroke spasticity. Methods: Experts committee, consisting of stroke or methodology specialists, searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 19 Korean medicine journals. The search terms were selected to screen the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews for the effectiveness of acupuncture on post-stroke spasticity, compared with placebo or conventional group. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were appraised based on Recommendations for Development of Clinical Practice Guideline in Korean Medicine. Results & Conclusions: One systematic review and 7 RCT were included to build the CPG. There was a strong evidence to support the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for post-stroke spasticity. However, it did not show any sufficient evidence to treat the patients with post-stroke spasticity with the sole acupuncture. The moderate evidence was presented that over 3 times of the electroacupuncture treatments with 1-100 Hz frequency should be performed every week on the acupoints, such as LI11, LI10, TE5, LI4, ST36, GB34, ST40, or LR3, for 20-30 minutes. It was also suggested that the procedure should begin at the acute stage just after the vital signs of the patients are stabilized. Finally, there was a moderate evidence to support safety of acupuncture treatment for post-stroke spasticity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.224-237
• /
• 2011

For establishing the efficacy against breast cancer occurrence, women's mammographic breast density and hot flush remission related to pre and post-menopausal symptoms were selected as biomarkers. Meta analysis applied the final selection of 40 papers from Medline to assess the efficacy of isoflavone-rich soy or supplements versus placebo under randomized controlled trials. Interestingly, the exposure to the purified isoflavones was more effective than the exposure to the crude extract of soy isoflavones for hot flush suppression. The length and the amount of dosage dependency is the most appropriately suggested to be one year long with 50~100 mg/day of isoflavone-rich soy or supplements. Funnel plots was used to interpret the results, overall effect of isoflavones on breast density in post-menopausal women was revealed to be less effect [effect size: 0.062, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.005 to 0.12], than that of pre-menopausal women (effect size: 0.101, CI: -0.003 to 0.205). The reason why breast density was found higher among the pre-menopausal than the post-menopausal women is that the phytoestrogens of dietary isoflavones were antagonized against estrogen by the basis of estrogen receptor binding affinity. Overall, the Meta analysis reported that isoflavone had limited influence on breast density by suppressing the expansion by only 2%, while it was more effective to suppressing the hot flush, showing a dramatic decrease of 23%.